Mount Juliet

We recently visited Mount Juliet in Kilkenny for an overnight ‘Stay & Play’. My husband and I travelled from Dublin which is usually a 1hr 30 minute drive. When we arrived at Hunters Yard we were made feel extremely welcome and also got a room upgrade to an Executive room without asking which is always a bonus.

Once we settled in the room, we immediately visited the pro shop to see the array of Mount Juliet merchandise. We then explored the club house and practice area. The previous week we made our golf booking and we had dealt with Francis on the phone and he was so helpful, so when we arrived at pro shop we were delighted to see him working. We chatted with him and asked him lots of questions. He explained we had been partnered for our game the following day with another couple staying at the hotel which was great to hear. We entered the 18 hole singles competition called ‘Spooky Singles’ which was an open competition. As I have said before, golf sometimes can feel like an intimidating sport to get into to but despite Mount Juliet being a world class golf venue they made us feel so welcome and helped settle any anxiety I may had felt prior to my visit.

About the golf:

The following day we arrived early to practice on the range before we played the 18 holes. At Mount Juliet they have a Golf Academy which has a range with top tracer equipment. It also has a dedicated fitting studio for Callaway clubs & Odyssey putters, plus a service to rent them for golfers staying at Mount Juliet.

After we warmed up at the range, we checked in for our round at the pro shop which Francis looked after us again. When we got to the first tee the starter introduced us to the couple we were playing with, Rena & David from Co. Cork. From the very first hole we chatted with them and continued chatting the whole round. They were a lovely friendly couple, and like us were at the hotel for a ‘Stay & Play’. David had played the course a few times so he helped us navigate our way around.

The course was in great condition and is a stunning place to play, it is a parkland with lots of rivers and lakes. The course has snack bar on the 10th with hot drinks and food. Golf buggies and electric trollies can be hired but all four us had our trollies and we walked the course. I ended up scoring 35 points which I was delighted with.  

About the hotel:

We stayed at the Hunters Yard, the estate expands over 500 acres but it still feels very intimate. The Hound restaurant is located within the same building, and the restaurant has an all weather terrace area with the floral lined walls which I adored, and couldn't resist a few photos as it was so pretty. The same terrace is also used for breakfast and it over looks over the range so you can see lots of golfers warming up whilst enjoying your food.

The rooms were beautifully decorated with a luxury feel but the bathrooms were a feature themselves with heated floors, a marble bath and spa rainforest shower with BVLAGRI toiletries which was very fancy.

The hotel offers many other features including a spa, and pool. There is an equestrian on the estate and we got to see many groups of guests on horseback around the estate when we were there. There is archery too and a boutique cinema on site which I really wanted to go to but we ran out of time.  Mount Juliet is certainly a magnificent location to visit and it is welcoming to all levels of golfers. We look forward to returning again in the future.

For more information visit: www.mountjuliet.ie